Ulsan Hyundai vs Kaya

The two sides that have experienced contrasting fortunes in the AFC Champions League so far will lock horns at the Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium as Ulsan Hyundai meet Kaya.

The hosts have put one foot in the knock-out stages after winning their opening three Group F matches by an aggregate scoreline of 6-0, including a 3-0 thumping of Kaya in the reverse fixture. Following Lukas Hinterseer’s last-gasp winner against Viettel on Matchday 1, Ulsan have notably improved their first-half displays, netting over 1.5 first-half goals in their subsequent two group stage games. All competitions included, the ‘Tigers’ are unbeaten in 11 home outings (W7, D4), scoring 2+ goals in the last three in a row. Equally impressive at the back, Hong Myung-bo’s side kept seven clean sheets during that 11-match sequence, conceding precisely once per game in two of the remaining four. Indeed, if they win here, it is likely to be ‘to nil,’ with each of their last four competitive home victories being accompanied by a blank sheet.

Meanwhile, Kaya’s faint hopes of making it out of the group stage hinge on their ability to steal away all three points here, which looks impossible based on their Champions League start. Indeed, the visitors have lost all three Group F outings, scoring just one goal while letting in 12 in return. In fact, each of Kaya’s three group stage defeats came by a margin of at least three goals and saw them concede twice in the first half. All competitions considered, the Philippine minnows have failed to keep a clean sheet in four of their last five trips, albeit they only allowed more than one goal per game once in that spread of games. A lack of firepower up front seems to a more pressing matter at this point, with the ‘Lions’ netting under 1.5 goals in their last four competitive fixtures.